- 39 minutes 57 secondsPRESSURISED: 068 – The Unseen Ocean CollectiveWelcome to the PRESSURISED version of episode 67. Just the science, none of the chit-chat.
Check out our lovely new website where you can find more detailed notes, images and links to the wider reading.
Episode SummaryThis month on the Deep-Sea Podcast we are joined by The Unseen Ocean Collective, this art and science collective comprised of Meghan Jones, Lara Beckmann, Nilanjana Das and Kierstin Keller are bringing the beauty and wonder of the deep-sea to the public through international art and science events.
Support the showThe podcast is self-sustaining (just) thanks to our lovely listeners. Thom and Alan take no money for the show. All money is put back into running it. Here’s a link to our page on how to support us, from the free options to becoming a patron of the show. We want to say a huge thank you to those patrons who have already pledged to support us:
Amrei - is only known from a single specimen caught by the challenger expedition
Diana Noto - was considered lost for decades until they were found at the back of the sponge collection
Pedro - has been found to flouress under the right wavelengths of light, no one knows why
Check out our podcast merch here!
Feel free to get in touch with us with questions or your own tales from the high seas on:
We’d love to actually play your voice, so feel free to record a short audio note on our brand new answerphone!
https://www.speakpipe.com/deepseapodvoicemail
Thanks again for tuning in; we’ll deep-see you next time!
Find out more Social mediaBlueSky: @deepseapod.com
Twitter: @DeepSeaPod
Instagram: @deepsea_podcast
Keep up with the team on social media Twitter:Alan - @Hadalbloke
Thom - @ThomLinley
https://twitter.com/ThomLinley
Instagram:Thom - @thom.linley
Inkfish - @inkfishexpeditions
BlueSky:Thom @thomaslinley.com
Alan @hadalbloke
Reference list Interview LinksUnseen Ocean Collective (@unseenoceancollective) • Instagram photos and videos
Unseen Ocean Collective on Blusky
America’s Hidden Deep-Sea Coral Gardens Come To Spokane - Trending Northwest
Meghan Jones
Meghan Jones (@studio_mbj) • Instagram photos and videos
Lara Beckmann
Lara (@planulara) • Instagram photos and videos
planulara | Instagram, Facebook | Linktree
Kierstin Keller
Kierstin Keller (@golden.spiral.studios) • Instagram photos and videos
Nilanjana Das
Nilanjana (@highseas_sculptures) • Instagram photos and videos
Nilanjana Das | Department of Microbiology
CreditsLogo image: “Snailfish Cupcake” by Meghan Jones
Theme: Hadal Zone Express by Märvel
15 May 2026, 11:00 am - 1 hour 13 minutesThe Unseen Ocean CollectiveEpisode Summary
This month on the Deep-Sea Podcast we are joined by The Unseen Ocean Collective, this art and science collective comprised of Meghan Jones, Lara Beckmann, Nilanjana Das and Kierstin Keller are bringing the beauty and wonder of the deep-sea to the public through international art and science events.
Check out our lovely new website where you can find more detailed notes, images and links to the wider reading.
In this episode…Welcome back to the Deep-Sea Podcast, your punk take on all things deep sea!
This month Thom is freshly back from a 5 week expedition to Antarctica with Aurora Expeditions, managed 4 ESCA deployments in 24 hours and watched in amazement while Kat fended off a large iceberg with her bare hands and a boat hook. Alan had a great time with old friends, may have played hookey on a podcast record, and spent 2 weeks in Antigua listening to ‘80’s hair metal. We get an update from Monty on Chimaera mating, and get to hear about the forever home for the “I am your tongue now” mug from @fibreandmud.
In the news, get ready for updates on:- Redefining our understanding of sinking carbon
- Cancer-fighting sponges
- New branch of life discovered
- New film on bioluminescence
- Mystery whale revealed through skin fragment
Discord update
- Tongue-eating louse asked for autograph, shyly declines
- The “I Am Your Tongue Now” mug finds new forever home
- Lost Alan- reward $100
- Baby Paddlefish, deep-sea dreams, Alvin maintenance
- Squid hunts, deep-sea accessories, shark cartoons and more!
Support the show
The podcast is self-sustaining (just) thanks to our lovely listeners. Thom and Alan take no money for the show. All money is put back into running it. Here’s a link to our page on how to support us, from the free options to becoming a patron of the show. We want to say a huge thank you to those patrons who have already pledged to support us:
Amrei - is only known from a single specimen caught by the challenger expedition
Diana Noto - was considered lost for decades until they were found at the back of the sponge collection
Pedro - has been found to flouress under the right wavelengths of light, no one knows why
Check out our podcast merch here!
Feel free to get in touch with us with questions or your own tales from the high seas on:
We’d love to actually play your voice, so feel free to record a short audio note on our brand new answerphone!
https://www.speakpipe.com/deepseapodvoicemail
Thanks again for tuning in; we’ll deep-see you next time!
Find out more Social mediaBlueSky: @deepseapod.com
Twitter: @DeepSeaPod
Instagram: @deepsea_podcast
Keep up with the team on social media Twitter:Alan - @Hadalbloke
Thom - @ThomLinley
https://twitter.com/ThomLinley
Instagram:Thom - @thom.linley
Inkfish - @inkfishexpeditions
BlueSky:Thom @thomaslinley.com
Alan @hadalbloke
Reference list News Deep-Sea NewsOceanography Podcast
Thom’s Episode
Apple Podcasts: Oceanography Episode 27: What is the Deep-Sea Even Like?
Spotify Podcasts: Oceanography Episode 27: What is the Deep-Sea Even Like?
Alan’s Episode
Spotify Podcasts: Oceanography Episide 28: Ocean Trenches Explained
Apple Podcasts: Ocean Trenches Explained with Prof. Alan Jamieson
News from our Episode
Extreme Ocean Pressure Is Feeding Deep-Sea Life in a Way Scientists Never Expected
Deep-sea natural compound targets cancer cells through a dual mechanism
24 new deep-sea species found including a rare new branch of life | ScienceDaily
dm, Europe’s Largest Drugstore Retailer, Drops All Krill Products
Marine biologist Edie Widder chases bioluminescence in new ‘Life Illuminated’ film
Tracked by Sound for Years, This Mysterious Deep-Sea Whale Was Finally Seen Alive
Discord Updates
Underwater Robot Resources for All Ages | Nautilus Live
Kid Engineer: Underwater R.O.V. | Design Squad
Sleeper Shark cartoon Post by @mossworm.bsky.social
Best Ocean Documentaries, Books & Podcasts (Updated List)
Laura :) (@fibreandmud) • Instagram photos and videos
Interview LinksUnseen Ocean Collective (@unseenoceancollective) • Instagram photos and videos
Unseen Ocean Collective on Blusky
America’s Hidden Deep-Sea Coral Gardens Come To Spokane - Trending Northwest
Meghan Jones
Meghan Jones (@studio_mbj) • Instagram photos and videos
Lara Beckmann
Lara (@planulara) • Instagram photos and videos
planulara | Instagram, Facebook | Linktree
Kierstin Keller
Kierstin Keller (@golden.spiral.studios) • Instagram photos and videos
Nilanjana Das
Nilanjana (@highseas_sculptures) • Instagram photos and videos
Nilanjana Das | Department of Microbiology
Credits Song of the month:
Cover of Hamilton’s You’ll Be Back by Punk Rock Factory.
You'll Be Back - song and lyrics by Punk Rock Factory | Spotify
Punk Rock Factory - You'll Be Back (from Hamilton)
Logo image: “Snailfish Cupcake” by Meghan Jones
Theme: Hadal Zone Express by Märvel
1 May 2026, 10:38 pm - 30 minutes 54 secondsPRESSURISED: 067 – Deep-Sea Career Spotlight with Dr. Nigel MerrettWelcome to the PRESSURISED version of episode 67. Just the science, none of the chit-chat.
Check out our lovely new website where you can find more detailed notes, images and links to the wider reading.
Episode SummaryThis month on the Deep-Sea Podcast, we are joined by Dr Nigel Merrett for a career spotlight episode highlighting his pioneering research, genre-defining technological advancements and personal connections with some of the most well-known names in the deep-sea research community.
In this episode…Welcome back to the Deep-Sea Podcast, your punk take on all things deep sea!
Our guest this month is Dr. Nigel Merrett, a British zoologist, ichthyologist, and former director of the fish section of the British Natural History Museum. In our first career spotlight episode, we shine a light on Nigel’s incredible and adventurous past, including working on the last British whaling ship, developing ground-breaking gear that is still used today, and working with some of the most impactful names in deep-sea history. Nigel shines a light on his incredible past, the importance of his work, and how we can all build on the work of others to advance science once step at a time.
Support the showThe podcast is self-sustaining (just) thanks to our lovely listeners. Thom and Alan take no money for the show. All money is put back into running it. Here’s a link to our page on how to support us, from the free options to becoming a patron of the show. We want to say a huge thank you to those patrons who have already pledged to support us:
Maxim
Check out our podcast merch here!
Feel free to get in touch with us with questions or your own tales from the high seas on:
We’d love to actually play your voice, so feel free to record a short audio note on our brand new answerphone!
https://www.speakpipe.com/deepseapodvoicemail
Thanks again for tuning in; we’ll deep-see you next time!
Find out more Social mediaBlueSky: @deepseapod.com
Twitter: @DeepSeaPod
Instagram: @deepsea_podcast
Keep up with the team on social media Twitter:Alan - @Hadalbloke
Thom - @ThomLinley
Instagram:Thom - @thom.linley
Inkfish - @inkfishexpeditions
BlueSky:Thom @thomaslinley.com
Alan @hadalbloke
Reference listInterview Links
Deep Sea Demersal Fish and Fisheries
WoRMS - World Register of Marine Species - Careproctus merretti Andriashev & Chernova, 1988
Historical Perspective Paper: Dan Morris Cohen
Credits
Theme: Hadal Zone Express by Märvel
10 April 2026, 12:37 am - 57 minutes 57 secondsDeep-Sea Career Spotlight with Dr. Nigel MerrettEpisode Summary
This month on the Deep-Sea Podcast, we are joined by Dr Nigel Merrett for a career spotlight episode highlighting his pioneering research, genre-defining technological advancements and personal connections with some of the most well-known names in the deep-sea research community.
Check out our lovely new website where you can find more detailed notes, images and links to the wider reading.
In this episode…Welcome back to the Deep-Sea Podcast, your punk take on all things deep sea!
This month, Thom is in Antarctica, trying to lure a giant squid into his research gear, and Alan is headed back to the Canary Islands after an international skirmish scuttled his travel plans. Our guest this month is Dr. Nigel Merrett, a British zoologist, ichthyologist, and former director of the fish section of the British Natural History Museum. In our first career spotlight episode we shine a light on Nigel’s incredible and adventurous past, including working on the last British whaling ship, developing ground-breaking gear that is still used today, and working with some of the most impactful names in deep-sea history. Nigel shines a light on his incredible past, the importance of his work, and how we can all build on the work of others to advance science once step at a time.
In the news, get ready for updates on:- A massive cold-water coral reef off the coast of Argentina
- Crowdsourcing a new species name
- New research on deep-sea fish eyes
- Parasitic Barnacles
- Antarctic sleeper shark
We hear from Meghan Jones, cofounder of the Unseen Ocean Collective, with an update on the Juneau, Alaska, show, and the upcoming show and public events happening in Spokane, Washington, in April of 2026.
Discord update- A common toad Valentine’s Day Party
- Branching snakes, and mystery gremlins.
- Museum dinosaur exhibits
- Parasitic louse mouth orgies
- Probability of Alan being a robot
Support the show
The podcast is self-sustaining (just) thanks to our lovely listeners. Thom and Alan take no money for the show. All money is put back into running it. Here’s a link to our page on how to support us, from the free options to becoming a patron of the show. We want to say a huge thank you to those patrons who have already pledged to support us:
Maxim
Check out our podcast merch here!
Feel free to get in touch with us with questions or your own tales from the high seas on:
We’d love to actually play your voice, so feel free to record a short audio note on our brand new answerphone!
https://www.speakpipe.com/deepseapodvoicemail
Thanks again for tuning in; we’ll deep-see you next time!
Find out more Social mediaBlueSky: @deepseapod.com
Twitter: @DeepSeaPod
Instagram: @deepsea_podcast
Keep up with the team on social media Twitter:Alan - @Hadalbloke
Thom - @ThomLinley
Instagram:Thom - @thom.linley
Inkfish - @inkfishexpeditions
BlueSky:Thom @thomaslinley.com
Alan @hadalbloke
Reference list NewsDeep-Sea News
8,000 Suggestions Later, a Newly Discovered Deep-Sea Species Gets Its Name
Scientists discover a completely new life form wreaking havoc on deep-sea sharks
On the Origin of a Novel Parasitic-Feeding Mode within Suspension-Feeding Barnacles - ScienceDirect
Shark filmed in Antarctica for the first time | Polar Journal
Discord UpdatesUnseen Ocean Collective Juneau Exhibit
Video of the Unseen Ocean Juneau Alaska Show
All the Fish Names Entymology Podcast
BBC Audio | In Our Time | The Mariana Trench
Interview LinksDeep Sea Demersal Fish and Fisheries
WoRMS - World Register of Marine Species - Careproctus merretti Andriashev & Chernova, 1988
Historical Perspective Paper: Dan Morris Cohen
Credits
Theme: Hadal Zone Express by Märvel
21 March 2026, 11:45 pm - 44 minutes 51 secondsPRESSURISED: 066 – Hadal Zone Master Class with Professor Alan JamiesonWelcome to the PRESSURISED version of episode 66. Just the science, none of the chit-chat.
Check out our lovely new website where you can find more detailed notes, images and links to the wider reading.
In this episode…Welcome back to the Deep-Sea Podcast, your punk take on all things deep sea!
Our guest this month is the one, the only, Prof. Alan Jamieson! Join our most favorite deep-sea professor, who takes us on a tour of the very bottom of the deepest of deep-sea. Get ready for a hot take on the past, present and future of this frontier science, while we “turn our backs to the shallow water”- Alan.
Support the showThe podcast is self-sustaining (just) thanks to our lovely listeners. Thom and Alan take no money for the show. All money is put back into running it. Here’s a link to our page on how to support us, from the free options to becoming a patron of the show. We want to say a huge thank you to those patrons who have already pledged to support us:
Melissa M
Undersea TV
Max
Frieda of Moku Art Studio
Check out our podcast merch here!
Feel free to get in touch with us with questions or your own tales from the high seas on:
We’d love to actually play your voice, so feel free to record a short audio note on our brand new answerphone!
https://www.speakpipe.com/deepseapodvoicemail
Thanks again for tuning in; we’ll deep-see you next time!
Find out more Social mediaBlueSky: @deepseapod.com
Twitter: @DeepSeaPod
Instagram: @deepsea_podcast
Keep up with the team on social media Twitter:Alan - @Hadalbloke
Thom - @ThomLinley
Instagram:Thom - @thom.linley
Inkfish - @inkfishexpeditions
BlueSky:Thom @thomaslinley.com
Alan @hadalbloke
Reference list Interview LinksVolcanic deposits on the Tonga forearc and trench: new insights from direct seafloor observations
Deep ocean seascape ecology: gaps and pathways for application
Credits
Logo image: Alan Jamieson
Theme: Hadal Zone Express by Märvel
15 February 2026, 9:07 am - 1 hour 18 minutesHadal Zone Master Class with Professor Alan Jamieson
Check out our lovely new website where you can find more detailed notes, images and links to the wider reading.
In this episode…Welcome back to the Deep-Sea Podcast, your punk take on all things deep sea!
This month Alan makes it back to Perth for another of Old Mate’s sausage sizzles, and Thom is deep into prep mode for his upcoming Antarctica trip. We talk about video games, an Australian classic song of the month, glycerin mega mouth sharks and polar bear patrols. Our guest this month is the one, the only, Prof. Alan Jamieson! Join our most favorite deep-sea professor, who takes us on a tour of the very bottom of the deepest of deep-sea. Get ready for a hot take on the past, present and future of this frontier science, while we “turn our backs to the shallow water”- Alan.
In the news, get ready for updates on:- Microplastic and Copepod gut tracts
- Rare Phantom Jelly footage
- An Arctic Deep-sea oasis
- A surprise source of hydrogen for the deep-sea
- The King-of-the-salmon visits the surface waters
We hear from Meghan Jones, cofounder of the Unseen Ocean Collective with a fun Q&A about upcoming events in Juneau Alaska and Spokane Washington, 2026.
Discord update- Deep-sea dating articles
- Deep-Sea Valentine game
- Book recommendations and ROV highlight reels
- Squid hats in the wild.
- Whale-fall tattoos
Support the show
The podcast is self-sustaining (just) thanks to our lovely listeners. Thom and Alan take no money for the show. All money is put back into running it. Here’s a link to our page on how to support us, from the free options to becoming a patron of the show. We want to say a huge thank you to those patrons who have already pledged to support us:
Melissa M
Undersea TV
Max
Frieda of Moku Art Studio
Check out our podcast merch here!
Feel free to get in touch with us with questions or your own tales from the high seas on:
We’d love to actually play your voice, so feel free to record a short audio note on our brand new answerphone!
https://www.speakpipe.com/deepseapodvoicemail
Thanks again for tuning in; we’ll deep-see you next time!
Find out more Social mediaBlueSky: @deepseapod.com
Twitter: @DeepSeaPod
Instagram: @deepsea_podcast
Keep up with the team on social media Twitter:Alan - @Hadalbloke
Thom - @ThomLinley
Instagram:Thom - @thom.linley
Inkfish - @inkfishexpeditions
BlueSky:Thom @thomaslinley.com
Alan @hadalbloke
Reference list NewsDeep-Sea News
Study Records Zooplankton Transporting Microplastics to the Deep Sea
Real-time visualization reveals copepod mediated microplastic flux - ScienceDirect
Deep-Sea Divers Capture Rare Footage of a Giant Phantom Jellyfish | PetaPixel
Schmidt Ocean Institute Phantom Jellyfish Footage
Scientists just found 'deep-sea oasis' in an Arctic region thought to be barren
Deep-sea vents are drawing hydrogen from a hidden source - Earth.com
California Diver Spots Rare Deep-Sea King-Of-The-Salmon Just 4.6 Meters Below The Surface
Discord UpdatesThese Deep-Sea Creatures Liked You on Hinge - McSweeney’s Internet Tendency
Unseen Ocean CollectiveUnseen Ocean Collective Website
Unseen Ocean Collective (@unseenoceancollective) • Instagram photos and videos
Unseen Ocean Collective on BlueSky
Interview LinksVolcanic deposits on the Tonga forearc and trench: new insights from direct seafloor observations
Deep ocean seascape ecology: gaps and pathways for application
Credits
Song of the month: Smoko by The Chats
Logo image: Alan Jamieson
Theme: Hadal Zone Express by Märvel
31 January 2026, 10:17 am - 42 minutes 7 secondsPRESSURISED: 065 – Giant Testate Protists with Professor Andrew GoodayWelcome to the PRESSURISED version of episode 65, just the science, none of the waffle
Check out our lovely new website where you can find more detailed notes, images and links to the wider reading.
In this episode…Welcome back to the Deep-Sea Podcast, your punk take on all things deep sea!
This month, we are talking giant testate protists, the coolest things you have probably never heard of. Giant cells on the deep seabed that can reach 20 cm or more. They build elaborate shells, and despite having known about them for hundreds of years, there are still loads we don't understand about them.
Support the showThe podcast is self-sustaining (just) thanks to our lovely listeners. Thom and Alan take no money for the show. All money is put back into running it. Here’s a link to our page on how to support us, from the free options to becoming a patron of the show. We want to say a huge thank you to those patrons who have already pledged to support us.
Check out our podcast merch here!
Feel free to get in touch with us with questions or your own tales from the high seas on:
We’d love to actually play your voice, so feel free to record a short audio note on our brand new answerphone!
https://www.speakpipe.com/deepseapodvoicemail
Thanks again for tuning in; we’ll deep-see you next time!
Find out more Social mediaBlueSky: @deepseapod.com
https://bsky.app/profile/deepseapod.com
Twitter: @DeepSeaPod
https://twitter.com/DeepSeaPod
Instagram: @deepsea_podcast
https://www.instagram.com/deepsea_podcast/
Keep up with the team on social media Twitter:Alan - @Hadalbloke
Thom - @ThomLinley
Instagram:Thom - @thom.linley
Inkfish - @inkfishexpeditions
BlueSky:Thom @thomaslinley.com
Alan @hadalbloke
Reference list Interview LinksPaleodictyon nodosum: A living fossil on the deep-sea floor
CreditsLogo image: NOAA public domain
Theme: Hadal Zone Express by Märvel
18 January 2026, 8:29 am - 1 hour 7 minutesGiant Testate Protists with Professor Andrew Gooday
Check out our lovely new website where you can find more detailed notes, images and links to the wider reading.
In this episode…Welcome back to the Deep-Sea Podcast, your punk take on all things deep sea!
Thom and Alan discuss Christmas from opposite ends of the planet, where Alan gets ‘proper’ Christmas in Scotland with snow and everything. At the opposite end, Thom insists on using his new BBQ, despite a rainstorm turning the air to liquid.
The exhibit that Thom was curating, Breathe | Mauri Ora at Te Papa, is an examination of the intersection of science and art by Marshmallow Lazer Feast. It is open now if you find yourself in Wellington, New Zealand.
This month, we are talking giant testate protists, the coolest things you have probably never heard of. Giant cells on the deep seabed that can reach 20 cm or more. They build elaborate shells, and despite having known about them for hundreds of years, there are still loads we don't understand about them.
In the news, get ready for updates on:- Squids hiding under the sea floor, pretending to be plants
- A rare seven-armed octopus sighting
- Deep-sea art that highlights the effects of coral dredging
- Missing zombie worms and expanding oxygen minimum zones
- New Whale Tags helping with deep-sea data recovery
- A massive white skate nursery and Canada’s first hydrothermal site
Discord update- The Deep-Sea Pets Channel continues to give back with excellent photos of our fav friends
- Our Holiday party was a total success, with many episodes of Octonauts watched and ‘enjoyed’ by all
- We assessed some of the ‘animal saving’ videos, as discussed by Tyler on the Mythbusting AI episode.
- Excellent Dragon-based book recommendations.
- We all wished we could visit Thom’s New show opening at Te Papa.
- Thom shared a beautiful video about Antarctica from his Falkor Too trip last year.
- Planning a Time Machine to scuba dive ancient seas, study the squid therein, and then hop on a boat trip with Darwin.
- TBOS and KBOS brushes of science versus various squid photos.
- Compared holiday baking recipes
- Photos and observations shared from SOA divestream viewing
- And, as always, vicarious travel to aquariums around the world!
The podcast is self-sustaining (just) thanks to our lovely listeners. Thom and Alan take no money for the show. All money is put back into running it. Here’s a link to our page on how to support us, from the free options to becoming a patron of the show. We want to say a huge thank you to those patrons who have already pledged to support us.
Check out our podcast merch here!
Feel free to get in touch with us with questions or your own tales from the high seas on:
We’d love to actually play your voice, so feel free to record a short audio note on our brand new answerphone!
https://www.speakpipe.com/deepseapodvoicemail
Thanks again for tuning in; we’ll deep-see you next time!
Find out more Social mediaBlueSky: @deepseapod.com
https://bsky.app/profile/deepseapod.com
Twitter: @DeepSeaPod
https://twitter.com/DeepSeaPod
Instagram: @deepsea_podcast
https://www.instagram.com/deepsea_podcast/
Keep up with the team on social media Twitter:Alan - @Hadalbloke
Thom - @ThomLinley
Instagram:Thom - @thom.linley
Inkfish - @inkfishexpeditions
BlueSky:Thom @thomaslinley.com
Alan @hadalbloke
Reference list NewsDeep Sea Valentines | Support Skype a Scientist with the Squid Facts shop!
Deep-Sea News
Unknown species of squid spotted burying itself upside down, pretending to be a plant
Rarely-Seen Seven-Arm 'Blob' Octopus Filmed by Underwater Camera | PetaPixel
Former submarine pilot's art highlights the deep sea | Hawai'i Public Radio
Hawaii Undersea Research Laboratory (HURL) | Kerby Illustrations
Zombie worms are missing and scientists are alarmed | ScienceDaily
Whale tag will help decode communication in the deep ocean - Earth.com
Discord UpdatesInside Breathe: Mauri Ora at Te Papa | RNZ
Crossing the Divide | Climate Connections at the Ice-Sea Interface
Interview Links
Paleodictyon nodosum: A living fossil on the deep-sea floor
CreditsSong of the month: It is that deep, bro by Matt Storer
Logo image: NOAA public domain
Theme: Hadal Zone Express by Märvel
9 January 2026, 9:07 am - 1 hour 10 minutesPRESSURISED: 064 – Cephstravanganza with Professor Kat BolstadWelcome to the PRESSURISED version of episode 64, just the science, none of the waffle PRESSURISED: Cephstravanganza with Professor Kat Bolstad | The Deep-Sea Podcast | Episode 64
Episode SummaryIn our newest episode, we join roving reporter Kat Bolstad at the Cephalopod International Advisory Council in Okinawa and hear from some of the most interesting people in Cephalopod research.
Check out our lovely new website where you can find more detailed notes, images and links to the wider reading.
In this episode…Our episode this month is a fascinating collection of interviews from the Cephalopod International Advisory Council Meeting that took place Oct-Nov in Okinawa Japan. Join Kat Bolstad, our roving reporter, as she takes time between bug hunting, seeing her first wild cuttlefish and shaking hands with a new octopus friend to collect interviews with some of the coolest names in Ceph science with a focus on the deep-sea. We hear from 12 Cephalopod experts on a wide variety of topics, including the preferred snacks for cephalopods, the effects of oxygen depletion on egg hatching, water temperature and acidification effects on cephalopod populations, and of course, the correct answer to the viral question: are octopuses actually ALIENS?
Support the showThe podcast is self-sustaining (just) thanks to our lovely listeners. Thom and Alan take no money for the show. All money is put back into running it. Here’s a link to our page on how to support us, from the free options to becoming a patron of the show. We want to say a huge thank you to those patrons who have already pledged to support us:
Elisabeth Grace Diemer
Nes Morgan
Check out our podcast merch here!
Feel free to get in touch with us with questions or your own tales from the high seas on:
We’d love to actually play your voice, so feel free to record a short audio note on our brand new answerphone!
https://www.speakpipe.com/deepseapodvoicemail
Thanks again for tuning in; we’ll deep-see you next time!
Find out more Social mediaBlueSky: @deepseapod.com
https://bsky.app/profile/deepseapod.com
Twitter: @DeepSeaPod
https://twitter.com/DeepSeaPod
Instagram: @deepsea_podcast
https://www.instagram.com/deepsea_podcast/
Keep up with the team on social media Twitter:Alan - @Hadalbloke
Thom - @ThomLinley
Instagram:Thom - @thom.linley
Inkfish - @inkfishexpeditions
BlueSky:Thom @thomaslinley.com
Alan @hadalbloke
Reference list Unseen Ocean CollectiveUnseen Ocean Collective (@unseenoceancollective) • Instagram photos and videos
https://bsky.app/profile/unseenocean.bsky.social
Interview LinksKat’s Socials
Bluesky: @autsquidsquad.bsky.social
Sarah McAnulty
Skype a Scientist SkypeAScientist.com
Kristina Fleetwood
Chumash Heritage National Marine Sanctuary
Meg Mindlin
Toni’s socials
Toni’s Research Group
Funcionamiento y Vulnerabilidad de Ecosistemas Marinos | Institut de Ciències del Mar
Other Links
Breathe | Mauri Ora | Te PapaMitochondrial genome diversity and population structure of the giant squid Architeuthis
Cephalopod camouflage bibliography on Zotero
AUT Lab for Cephalopod Ecology & Systematics aka AUT ‘Squid Squad’
Cephalopod Images and Footage
CIAC 2025 website, programme, book of abstracts
CreditsSong of the month: Tornado of Souls, by Megadeth, performed by medium-sized Jamieson.
Logo image: Photo credit to Peter Morse @PeterAndTheOctopus
Theme: Hadal Zone Express by Märvel
20 December 2025, 10:21 pm - 1 hour 54 minutesCephstravanganza with Professor Kat BolstadEpisode Summary
In our newest episode, we join roving reporter Kat Bolstad at the Cephalopod International Advisory Council in Okinawa and hear from some of the most interesting people in Cephalopod research.
Check out our lovely new website where you can find more detailed notes, images and links to the wider reading.
In this episode…Welcome back to the Deep-Sea Podcast, your punk take on all things deep sea!
The Professor is still down under, organizing conferences and recuperating from Old Mate’s Classic Aussie Sausage Sizzle, a robust event filled with friends of the podcast and still felt 24 hours later.
Thom is freshly back from another big ocean/small boat adventure, in which the ocean always wins and his stomach always loses… everything. He is also stretching his creative muscles and curating an exciting new museum exhibit called Breathe | Mauri Ora at Te Papa, an examination of science into art by Marshmallow Lazer Feast.
Our episode this month is a fascinating collection of interviews from the Cephalopod International Advisory Council Meeting that took place Oct-Nov in Okinawa Japan. Join Kat Bolstad, our roving reporter, as she takes time between bug hunting, seeing her first wild cuttlefish and shaking hands with a new octopus friend to collect interviews with some of the coolest names in Ceph science with a focus on the deep-sea. We hear from 12 Cephalopod experts on a wide variety of topics, including the preferred snacks for cephalopods, the effects of oxygen depletion on egg hatching, water temperature and acidification effects on cephalopod populations, and of course, the correct answer to the viral question: are octopuses actually ALIENS?
In the news, get ready for updates on:
- Deep diving manta rays using the ocean bottom to navigate
- A newly launched AI tool to map the Deep- Sea
- Bright blue mud filled with fat molecules indicating life in the deep
- Corals and Crinoids sharing symbionts and cycling nitrogen
- And an update from the Unseen Ocean Collective about the work they are creating for a show in Juneau Alaska in 2026.
On the Discord, we’ve been busy with:
- Voting on the Holiday Party movie
- Started a long overdue ART channel, and a new Pets channel
- Photo tours of submersibles and Okinawa
- Early Holiday celebrations by one of our hosts
- Great feedback and conversation on our last episode.
The podcast is self-sustaining (just) thanks to our lovely listeners. Thom and Alan take no money for the show. All money is put back into running it. Here’s a link to our page on how to support us, from the free options to becoming a patron of the show. We want to say a huge thank you to those patrons who have already pledged to support us:
Elisabeth Grace Diemer
Nes Morgan
Check out our podcast merch here!
Feel free to get in touch with us with questions or your own tales from the high seas on:
We’d love to actually play your voice, so feel free to record a short audio note on our brand new answerphone!
https://www.speakpipe.com/deepseapodvoicemail
Thanks again for tuning in; we’ll deep-see you next time!
Find out more Social mediaBlueSky: @deepseapod.com
https://bsky.app/profile/deepseapod.com
Twitter: @DeepSeaPod
https://twitter.com/DeepSeaPod
Instagram: @deepsea_podcast
https://www.instagram.com/deepsea_podcast/
Keep up with the team on social media Twitter:Alan - @Hadalbloke
https://twitter.com/Hadalbloke
Thom - @ThomLinley
https://twitter.com/ThomLinley
Instagram:Thom - @thom.linley
https://www.instagram.com/thom.linley/
Inkfish - @inkfishexpeditions
https://www.instagram.com/inkfishexpeditions/
BlueSky:Thom @thomaslinley.com
https://bsky.app/profile/thomaslinley.com
Alan @hadalbloke
https://bsky.app/profile/hadalbloke.bsky.social
Reference list NewsDeep-Sea News
World's largest rays may be diving to extreme depths to build mental maps of vast oceans
China launches AI tool for deep-sea research
Unseen Ocean CollectiveUnseen Ocean Collective (@unseenoceancollective) • Instagram photos and videos
https://bsky.app/profile/unseenocean.bsky.social
Discord UpdatesHoliday Party! Join Patreon here to get access to the Holiday party!
Interview LinksKat’s Socials
Bluesky: @autsquidsquad.bsky.social
Sarah McAnulty
Skype a Scientist SkypeAScientist.com
Kristina Fleetwood
Chumash Heritage National Marine Sanctuary
Meg Mindlin
Toni’s socials
Toni’s Research Group
Funcionamiento y Vulnerabilidad de Ecosistemas Marinos | Institut de Ciències del Mar
Other Links
Breathe | Mauri Ora | Te PapaMitochondrial genome diversity and population structure of the giant squid Architeuthis
Cephalopod camouflage bibliography on Zotero
AUT Lab for Cephalopod Ecology & Systematics aka AUT ‘Squid Squad’
Cephalopod Images and Footage
CIAC 2025 website, programme, book of abstracts
https://www.ryo-minemizu.com/
CreditsSong of the month: Tornado of Souls, by Megadeth, performed by medium-sized Jamieson.
Logo image: Photo credit to Peter Morse @PeterAndTheOctopus
Theme: Hadal Zone Express by Märvel
6 December 2025, 9:02 pm - 37 minutes 49 secondsPRESSURISED: 063 – Bioluminescent Symbiosis with Margaret McFall-NgaiWelcome to the PRESSURISED version of episode 63, just the science, none of the waffle
PRESSURISED: Bioluminescent Symbiosis with Margaret McFall-Ngai | The Deep-Sea Podcast | Episode 63
Our guest this month is Dr. Margaret McFall-Ngai, an animal physiologist and biochemist who is a staff researcher at Carnegie Institution for Science’s Division of Biosphere Sciences and Engineering, with her lab stationed at the California Institute of Technology in Biology and Biological Engineering. Dr. McFal-Ngai talks us through her work on the stable beneficial relationship between the Hawaiian bobtail squid (Euprymna scolopes) and its partner, the luminous bacterium Vibrio fischeri. Although technically not a deep-sea species, this relationship and its details might help us understand how deep-sea life creates bioluminescence and the possible life cycle impacts for the creatures involved.
GlossaryCrypt - The chambers within the squid's light organ.
Support the showThe podcast is self-sustaining (just) thanks to our lovely listeners. Thom and Alan take no money for the show. All money is put back into running it. Here’s a link to our page on how to support us, from the free options to becoming a patron of the show. We want to say a huge thank you to those patrons who have already pledged to support us:
Sophie Bagshaw
Laura
Check out our podcast merch here!
Feel free to get in touch with us with questions or your own tales from the high seas on:
We’d love to actually play your voice, so feel free to record a short audio note on our brand new answerphone!
https://www.speakpipe.com/deepseapodvoicemail
Thanks again for tuning in; we’ll deep-see you next time!
Find out more Social mediaBlueSky: @deepseapod.com
Twitter: @DeepSeaPod
Instagram: @deepsea_podcast
Keep up with the team on social mediaTwitter:
Alan - @Hadalbloke
Thom - @ThomLinley
Instagram:
Thom - @thom.linley
Inkfish - @inkfishexpeditions
BlueSky:
Thom @thomaslinley.com
Alan @hadalbloke
Reference list Interview LinksA lasting symbiosis: how the Hawaiian bobtail squid finds and
keeps its bioluminescent bacterial partner
A lasting symbiosis: how Vibrio fischeri finds a squid partner
and persists within its natural host
CreditsLogo image: Dr. Margaret McFall-Ngai
Theme: Hadal Zone Express by Märvel
15 November 2025, 9:02 pm - More Episodes? Get the App